County plans for youth service

A new look youth service for Staffordshire is on course to start operation next April. The county council's cabinet is being recommended tomorrow to approve plans to integrate the service.

Deputy leader of the council Councillor Robert Simpson will explain that it is planned to combine the existing youth service with Staffordshire Youth Offending Service, the teenage pregnancy service and other bodies helping young people including Connexions.

"We have had a trial of this approach in the Cannock area and it has been a real success, so we are now looking to roll this out to the rest of Staffordshire," he said.

The plan will need to be submitted to the Government Office for the West Midlands for approval.

"The services are already performing well so it isn't about improving failing services," he said.

"Nor is it about budget cuts.

"It is about bringing the services we offer young people together into a single service to improve the overall package of support and services.

"As we are already starting to see in Cannock this has real potential to improve the lives of young people in Staffordshire."

Under the plan an integrated youth support service board will be set up with a manager from Staffordshire Council for Voluntary Youth Organisations involved.

The intention is to offer improved information, ad-vice and guidance and a wider range of opportunities for youngsters.

One of the key aims will be to reduce the number of 16 to 18-years-olds not in education, employment or education in the county.

The new service will also be involved in efforts to reduce the number of young people using drugs and alcohol and the under-18 conception rate.